Please, through my tears I beg each and every one of you pet owners out there. Spoil your baby for me. Take your dog for an extra long walk and give him a real piece of bacon just this once. Let your cat feast on tuna and milk tonight instead of that nasty dry processed crap. Save the rabbit from your children for a whole day of peace. Let your bird fly around to its heart's content.

Because I learned today that it's impossible to say goodbye. The only thing you can do is make each and every hello or moment a memory so that if your time comes to this end (and it will, although you may not have to make my decision, ends are inevitable) you have plenty of mental snapshots to protect and comfort you.